FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 7 December 1940, Page 2

FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

NEED FOR TRAINING MORE OPERATIVES STAFFING DIFFICULTIES [United Press Association] AUCKLAND, 6th December, j The urgent need for training operatives for the footwear and allied trades I wat > stressed by Mr H. Edwards, chairman of the Auckland Footwear Manufacturers’ Association, in supporting appeals affecting 104 men employed by 35 companies before the Auckland Area Manpower Committee to-night. Mr Edwards said the establishment of training schools had been suggested ! to the Government, but so far nothing j had been done in this respect. As so ! many men had been called up in industry the question of staffing was becomi ing very serious. Mr Edwards said ! that till some system of training men J unfit for service overseas was instituted j appeals would have to be made. Untrained men could not be put on to machines at five minutes’ notice. “The Government must do something to help us,” he added. “I am here to substantiate the appeals of various leather and footwear manufacturers.” To the chairman, witness said the association had pursued the question of training schools as far as was possible. It had also considered engaging recently retired operatives, but witness was satisfied that there were only about six in this category available in Auckland. Mr Edwards added that the Government was now requesting the industry to produce its work up to time. Men were working up to 44 hours a week and the employers had to pay time and a half and double time, though their return remained the same. It was, therefore, apparent that the employers were doing their best to help the Government. If many more men were called up and if industry was to meet the demands made upon it there would have to be an extension of hours. In the majority of cases the committee reserved its decision, brief periods of postponement of service as requested being granted in a few cases.